When Yaoying awoke, only a short stub remained of the candle beside the desk.

A flickering, dim candlelight filled the stone cave.

The discomfort in her body had disappeared. As she sat up, she felt something cool on her wrist. Looking down, she saw a string of prayer beads encircling her wrist, cool and luminous like flowing moonlight.

Weren’t these the prayer beads Tanmoluojia always carried?

The first time she saw him in the dunes, he had been wearing these same prayer beads.

How had they ended up on her wrist?

Yaoying was somewhat surprised. She carefully removed the prayer beads, wiped them with a handkerchief, and held them in her palm as she got up from the couch and walked around the screen.

Tanmoluojia sat at his desk writing, his back straight. Hearing her footsteps approach, he raised his eyes to examine her carefully.

“Are you feeling any discomfort?”

Yaoying shook her head and sat cross-legged, saying: “No discomfort, though my head is still a bit foggy.”

Tanmoluojia made a sound of acknowledgment. “That happens after taking the medicine.” He gestured for her to raise her wrist so he could check her pulse.

Yaoying offered the handkerchief-wrapped prayer beads: “Master, your prayer beads.”

Tanmoluojia withdrew his fingers and continued writing, saying gently: “These beads are called Snow Lotus. Wearing them cools the skin and calms the spirit. The Princess often has nightmares; you may wear these beads.”

Yaoying made a sound of understanding. She realized she hadn’t had any nightmares earlier. She smiled and said: “I’ll remember that. I’ll have Old Qi find me a string just like this…”

Tanmoluojia’s hand paused, and he glanced at her.

Yaoying froze under his gaze. Did the monk mean… he wanted to give these prayer beads to her?

These were the beads he had worn since childhood. Something so precious given to her, a non-Buddhist – it seemed somewhat wasteful…

Just as she was about to decline politely, Tanmoluojia said: “Put them on.”

His tone was light but carried an undeniable authority.

Yaoying thought for a moment, feeling warmth flow through her heart. She smiled and stopped being polite, lowering her head to wrap on the beads. Her wrist was slender, requiring several loops before the beads stayed secure. Each bead felt smooth and warm, and wearing them truly seemed to have a calming effect.

Tanmoluojia watched as she wrapped his prayer beads around her wrist loop by loop, then moved his gaze away, pointing to a bowl of medicine: “The Princess has gone through the dispersing phase of the medicine. Take this bowl of consolidating medicine.”

Yaoying drank the medicine in one go, waiting for him to finish writing her pulse diagnosis before asking: “Master, I’m feeling fine now. May I return?”

Tanmoluojia put down his brush and stood, his kasaya brushing across the desk.

“Come with me.”

Yaoying quickly got up to follow him. At the door, Bamir presented two gilt long-handled lanterns. Tanmoluojia took them and handed them to Yaoying.

She carried the lantern, following behind him. The night was deep, the corridor ahead pitch black. The two passed through silent passageways and long corridors, climbing stone steps one by one, who knows how many, as the steps grew increasingly steep.

Tanmoluojia would walk for a while, then stop to wait for Yaoying. The night wind stirred his kasaya as he stood between the cave walls, looking down at her, his features solemn, like a Buddha statue stepping out from the cliff murals.

Yaoying followed him closely, breathing heavily.

Through the quiet night came waves of distant bell sounds. They finally climbed to a high platform. Tanmoluojia stopped before a pagoda, pressed his palms together, and knelt in worship, placing his lantern in the Buddha niche.

He gestured to Yaoying: “Place your lantern inside.”

Yaoying imitated him, pressing her palms together and bowing several times before placing her lantern in the niche beside his.

The atmosphere was solemn, and she dared not speak loudly. She turned back and asked softly: “Is Master praying for my blessing?”

Tanmoluojia nodded slightly, bent down, and sat cross-legged on the meditation mat before the Buddha niche, closing his eyes to chant sutras.

Yaoying retreated to his side and sat down like him, pressing her palms together and gazing up at the divine statue in the niche.

In this small corner of the vast, silent pagoda and divine niches, just the two of them, two lanterns, with the night breeze gently blowing in – it seemed as if they were the only two people left in heaven and earth.

Tanmoluojia continued chanting sutras. Not wanting to disturb him, Yaoying sat for a while until her eyelids grew heavy and she began to doze.

The lamp made a crisp popping sound as it burned, startling Yaoying awake. Thinking she was in the main hall during regular morning prayers, she instinctively straightened her back and loudly chanted “Amitabha” to show she hadn’t been distracted.

A gaze fell upon her.

Yaoying looked over to see Tanmoluojia turned toward her, his expression calm. In the hazy candlelight, the corner of his mouth seemed to curve slightly.

Night-blooming cereus, a fleeting moment of beauty.

Yaoying froze, her heart suddenly beating faster. By the time she came to her senses, Tanmoluojia had already turned away.

That smile just now seemed like it might have been her imagination.

Tanmoluojia finished chanting the sutra and stood, saying: “Bamir will escort the Princess back.”

Yaoying was still somewhat dazed as she stood up. Leaving the pagoda, her peripheral vision caught a magnificent expanse of lights, and her footsteps halted.

The caves carved into the opposite cliff were densely packed like a honeycomb. Though unremarkable during the day, now in the deep quiet of the night, from the foot of the mountain to its peak, every cave had lit offering lamps, layer upon layer, illuminating the entire cliff face.

Looking from afar, beneath the night sky was a dazzling holy radiance like the brilliant Milky Way, magnificent and spectacular, with a power that moved the heart.

Seeing the beautiful scene, Yaoying instinctively looked to Tanmoluojia.

“Master, look how beautiful the caves are from here.”

She stood by the stone steps, turning back to smile at him. Below her feet spread an unbroken sea of golden lights. The night wind lifted her colored hair ribbons and clothes, her figure graceful like a flying celestial maiden with billowing heavenly robes.

Tanmoluojia moved his gaze away and nodded.

Yes, truly beautiful.

Bamir approached carrying a lantern to escort Yaoying back.

Tanmoluojia stood on the high platform, hands behind his back, watching her silhouette fade into the deep night.

He had lived in the caves below this cliff for several years and had seen this spectacular view of lights countless times.

As a youth, he had knelt before this pagoda, receiving his master Boluoliuzhi’s questioning.

“Luojia, once your identity as the Su Dangu is revealed, you will be cursed by tens of thousands. Are you afraid?”

He had answered firmly: “I am not afraid.”

“Will you regret it?”

“This disciple will not regret.”

Boluoliuzhi looked down at him for a long time, his expression grave. He sighed and said: “Luojia, of all the royal court’s rulers through history, only you have carried the name of Buddha’s son and the duty to revive the kingdom from birth… This path, you are destined to walk alone… If in the future you meet someone who understands you, bring them here.”

“Your master hopes that they can stay by your side, accompanying you when you feel lost, so you can be more steadfast.”

He had agreed.

The tiny light from the lantern disappeared into the boundless night.

Tanmoluojia gazed in the direction Li Yaoying had departed, silently reciting sutras.

She was not a member of the monastic order and would not follow him like a believer or disciple. Today he had brought her here and chanted sutras for her, fulfilling his youthful promise, telling his master that on his path of cultivation, he had met such a person.

Just a passing traveler.

When Bamir returned, Tanmoluojia still stood on the high platform at the top of the long steps.

The night wind filled his loose monastic robes as he bathed in the cold moonlight, looking down at the majestic Royal Temple and the sleeping quarters of the Holy City below.

“Tomorrow, bring Ah Li back from the beast garden.”

It was time for his meditation retreat.

Bamir agreed.

…

The next day, Yuanjue brought Yaoying other pills and medicinal ingredients.

“The physician has reviewed your pulse diagnosis and added some calming medicines. Next time you take them, you won’t experience discomfort like yesterday. Please keep these safe, Princess, and remember to take them on schedule.”

Yaoying asked him to convey her thanks to Tanmoluojia and accepted the medicine.

She had been writing a letter, her sleeves rolled up, revealing the light-colored prayer beads on her wrist. Yuanjue’s gaze swept over them, and his eyes widened.

Yaoying quickly lowered her sleeve. After returning in the early morning, she had gone straight to sleep, forgetting to remove the prayer beads.

“I often have nightmares, and the Master, in his kindness, gave me these prayer beads.”

Yuanjue froze for a moment, staring at her for quite a while before saying: “These prayer beads aren’t ordinary bodhi beads. They’re made from a type called Snow Lotus bodhi seeds. Each one is very precious, and gathering this many is extremely rare. Princess, you must carry them with you at all times for their calming effect to work.”

After speaking, he frowned slightly, wondering if it was appropriate for the King to give such a personal item to Princess Wenzhao.

Yaoying, hearing his serious tone, fell into thought for a moment before putting away the beads.

Since they were so precious and surely everyone would recognize them, better not to let others see. She could wear them only at night while sleeping.

Before leaving, Yuanjue told Yaoying: “The King will enter a meditation retreat in a few days. Princess, if you have anything to ask him, remember to come find me so I can relay your message. In a few more days, there won’t be an opportunity.”

Yaoying thanked him.

Shortly after, her guard came to report: “Princess Manda of Vilomara has sent an invitation, requesting the Princess visit their guesthouse for a chat.”

Yaoying took the invitation and read it carefully.

In the note, Princess Manda wrote that seeing her step into the fire altar during the ceremony had deeply moved her, and she sincerely wanted to help her win Tanmoluojia’s heart, hinting that she could teach her some secret techniques.

Yaoying raised an eyebrow, put down the note, and said: “I’m not free.”

Princess Manda hadn’t given up and claimed she wanted to help – surely intending to use her to get close to Tanmoluojia. She wouldn’t fall for it.

…

News spread that Tanmoluojia would soon enter a meditation retreat. Believers flocked to the Royal Temple, begging him to attend one more blessing ceremony. They had come from far away just to witness his presence.

He agreed to attend several ceremonies. The believers were overjoyed, and the area outside the Royal Temple was packed with people daily.

Not wanting to draw attention, Yaoying dressed as a man each day to watch the competitions at the martial arts grounds.

Of all the competitions, horse racing and mounted archery were undoubtedly the most spectacular and intense. Each time they began, spectators packed the sidelines, and foreign envoys who hadn’t yet departed also came to watch.

On the final day, winners had been decided for all other events except mounted archery. Nobles, ministers, and tribal chiefs all came to watch. Tanmoluojia also attended the gathering – after watching the final mounted archery competition, he would present awards to the warriors.

After a drumroll like sudden rain, several warriors in light armor rode into the arena. The competition began, filled with the sound of galloping hooves as dust rose high.

Occasional gasps rose from the sidelines as riders fell from their horses.

The competition continued into the afternoon until only six remained. Among the remaining riders, Mopiduo was the youngest, charging left and right like thunder. Spectators cheered him on.

After several intense rounds, Mopiduo’s arrows found their marks without fail. He won the competition to thunderous applause.

Holding his bow, he rode a victory lap around the arena, accepting the crowd’s cheers before stopping before the platform, dismounting, and walking toward the sidelines.

The royal court people guessed what he would do, laughing as they watched to see who he would present his bow to.

On the platform, Bisuo stood guard behind Tanmoluojia, smiling at the spectacle until he saw which direction Mopiduo was walking. His expression suddenly changed.

Mopiduo was walking toward someone in a narrow-sleeved robe in the corner.

Bisuo recognized that person. Though she wore a headscarf and men’s clothing, concealing her features, with Yuanjue and her guards beside her, he recognized her immediately.

Bisuo raised his head, secretly glancing at Tanmoluojia on his throne.

Tanmoluojia’s gaze fell on Mopiduo, his expression blank.

…

Below the platform.

Yaoying sat in a corner by the arena, watching the competition while discussing with her guards, intently studying the mounts and weapons of warriors from various tribes. Suddenly she noticed the noisy grounds had fallen silent, and everyone’s gaze had converged on her.

A black horse slowly approached. Atop it, Mopiduo in light armor was tall and robust. Though covered in mud, he radiated vigor. He dismounted and walked to the sidelines, presenting a black-lacquered bow to her with both hands.

“Mopiduo of the Ujiri tribe hopes to have the honor of sharing victory with you.”

He stood straight-backed, calling out in a clear voice. His young face showed a fearless openness, his gaze burning like a newly forged sword, its blade so hot it constantly scattered sparks.

The arena fell completely silent.

Yaoying was puzzled and looked back at Yuanjue.

Yuanjue was equally surprised, frowning at Mopiduo in the arena as he explained quietly: “Prince Mopiduo won the competition. By royal court custom, he can choose someone from the sidelines to share his victory.”

Yaoying asked, “Are there any other implications?”

Like how wearing matching masks to a banquet indicated engagement.

Yuanjue shook his head, “No special implications. The person sharing victory can be male or female. Previous winners usually chose their master or family members. When the King presents the reward later, the Princess will also receive a prize.”

Yaoying relaxed. Mopiduo had no family or relations in the Holy City, and Bisuo had just lost the competition. He probably chose her because she was the only one he knew.

She gestured for her guard to accept the bow, secretly relieved that she wore men’s clothes and a headscarf, unrecognizable to others. Mopiduo also knew to be discreet and hadn’t called out her name publicly.

Her guard accepted the bow. Mopiduo looked up at Yaoying with a smile, showing gleaming white teeth, then turned to follow the guard to the main tent.

…

In the main tent, Bisuo looked down at the scene below, watching Yaoying’s guard accept Mopiduo’s bow, then turned to look at Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia’s expression remained calm.

Mopiduo soon strode into the tent, respectfully bowing to Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia gave him a bland glance and gestured for the guards to bring the rewards.

Bisuo’s brows furrowed slightly. After Mopiduo received his reward and left the tent, he followed.

“Why did you choose Princess Wenzhao?”

Others might not know who he had chosen, but he and Tanmoluojia knew.

Mopiduo turned, his lips curving as he said: “Because I admire Princess Wenzhao, so I chose her.”

He looked toward the main tent.

“Princess Wenzhao can openly admire the King, and I won’t hide my admiration for Princess Wenzhao. I will respect the Princess’s feelings and choices, and won’t force anything. If I overstep, I’m willing to accept punishment without complaint.”

After speaking, he bowed toward the main tent and left.

Bisuo watched his tall figure depart, glanced again at Li Yaoying below, and shook his head silently before returning to the tent, anxiously looking at Tanmoluojia.

Tanmoluojia’s face showed no expression as he said: “Starting tomorrow, I will enter a meditation retreat.”

Bisuo sobered immediately and respectfully agreed.

It was time for war.